Trend forecasting is my job, but even I didn’t see this granny trend coming

While many trends have dominated the year, one descriptor that immediately springs to mind when summarizing 2022 is “see through”. It was definitely a risk-taker moment: from delicate mesh knitwear to unlined slip-on skirts, skin-revealing pieces dominate every corner of the fashion landscape. Another fast-paced trend that has popped up recently (and seemingly out of nowhere) is the return of black lace. And while lace is hardly a new trend as a trend, it’s hard to miss just how pervasive the motif has been among fashionable It girls of late. Bella Hadid wore a black lace dress to her birthday celebrations last month and paired it with a leather jacket and black lingerie. Her outfit shows how this ‘granny’ trend has evolved into one of the most controversial of the moment: instead of the motif playing second fiddle as an embellishment or overlay, designers have made sheer black lace the protagonist by using the material for unlined dresses, blouses and even trousers.

Designers giving the trend a big high-fashion push include Saint Laurent and Alaia, both of whom have incorporated black lace flared pants and tops into their fall-winter runway collections. Needless to say, the black lace craze is only going to grow from here. If you’re looking for ways to wear it IRL, I’ve listed the best pieces on the market as well as some outfit inspiration below.